HOMICIDAL YOUTH IN ENGLAND AND WALES 1982-1992 - PROFILE AND POLICY

This empirical study examines and established a profile of youth (under seventeen years of age) who have committed a homicidal act in England and Wales. The data consisted of twenty (N = 20) cases that were subjected to social learning theory analysis and compared to previous studies and Home Office statistics. The findings corroborate the outcomes of similar studies and present a profile of an individual who engaged in a violent act that is primarily a male activity. The behavior is highly correlated to cultural male socialization practices and the development of an anti-social personality. Notably, exposure to a dysfunctional family environment initiates the early on-set of very aggressive behavior. Policy implications suggest promoting initiatives to support family stability, improving parenting skills and violence reduction schemes.